1879.' 



369 



and after keeping it for some time, they threw it out among the rubbish. 

 In 1876 (in the fall), I was on the ridge myself, and went to each of the 

 quarries, and learned what I have just written ; and at one of the quarries 

 the superintendent said they had found a few days before a slab with some 

 marks on it, and had thought of me, but not seeing that the marks were in- 

 dicative of anything especially interesting, they had thrown it away over 

 the edge of the rubbish pile. The superintendent called three or four work- 

 men, and directed them to search for the block which he said could not be 

 buried very deep. 



We threw the tup pieces over, rolling them further down, and in per- 

 haps half an hour came upon the piece they were looking for, and with it 

 the piece which is in your possession. All the indices are in favor of its 

 origin in the quarry at Peach Bottom. There was the first report that cer- 

 tain marks had been seen, but that they were rare. The workmen were 

 not in the habit of finding end holding for sale specimens of the rock. 

 These specimens were not regarded as interesting or valuable, but were 

 thrown away, and only recovered as I have said. The block I speak of 

 must have weighed, as I saw it, not less than seventy-five pounds. 



The State geologist has the opportunity of identifying the slate on which 

 the stems of the fucoid are with the slate of Peach Bottom, or of some other 

 locality. Until some evidence is obtained that ends all doubt, this would 

 be a confirmatory mark. The slate at Peach Bottom is not identical with 

 the Lehigh slate. But I have no doubt the evidence on the spot can be 

 made sufficient. The fossil is rare. Any one might have to wait there a 



long time to see one I do not know the name of the men, who 



found the piece for me, but I can get them by correspondence 



Prof. Cope presented a communication entitled, "Second 

 contrib ution to a knowledge of the Miocene Fauna of Ore- 

 gon.-" 



The paper for the Magellanic premium being called up, 

 and no report from the Board of Officers presented, a 

 special meeting of the Board was ordered ; and on motion 

 of Mr. Briggs, it was resolved that a Committee of five be 

 appointed by the Chair for considering and reporting upon 

 the value of the claim. The Chair appointed Mr. Briggs, 

 Prof. Chase, Prof. Kendall, Prof. E. H. Houston, and Mr. 

 Coleman Sellers. 



The Treasurer's annual report was read and referred to the 

 Finance Committee. 



Pending nominations Nos. 885 to 889, and new nomina- 

 tions 890 to 892, were read. 



And the meeting was adjourned. 



